The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) convened a multi-agency Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) on Friday to evaluate the possible effects of Tropical Depression ‘Isang’ and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (also known as ‘habagat’).
The scenario-building session was held at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) and presided over by OCD Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV.
He was joined by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe, who also serves as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) alternate vice chairperson for response.
Alejandro said the OCD and its partners remain on blue alert status to monitor developments.
“We will continue with our work and remain on blue alert. We intend to remain vigilant from now until Monday. However, we hope the weather will get better before then and that there will be no need to raise the alert status to red,” he noted.
Authorities have already prepositioned relief goods and other resources in case the weather disturbance intensifies. In Albay, Governor Noel Rosal ordered the evacuation of residents in Barangay Masarawag, which sits at the foot of Mayon Volcano, due to the risk of lahar flows and flooding.
The OCD said the PDRA reflects the government’s continuing effort, under the guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., to enhance preparedness and safeguard vulnerable communities.
Participating agencies included PAGASA, DILG, DSWD, DENR-MGB, DPWH, DICT, DOH, DA, OCD regional offices, AFP, PNP, BFP, PCG, DHSUD, NAMRIA, DOE, and the Presidential Communications Office.
